
          There are in the parcel three specimens marked Aristida
 gracilis, all of them growing around this town, they differ about
 as much from each other as that one of them with the longest awns
 differs from A. [Aristida] purpurascens which I have also sent from N. Ant.
 I am led to doubt whether the whole four are any thing more
 than varieties of one species. Oakes insists that one of them
 at least is A. gracilis. He was here & spent some time with us
 two years ago, but it was before these were in flower. I then
 spent a week also with him at Nantucket. I should
 like to hear from thee how many sorts species [inserted: of this genus], I have sent
 and what to call them. To the specimen which I have
 marked Aspidium delatatum, rightly named? If
 I have made any misnomer, please set me right.


 It is probable I shall visit New York some time in
 the autumn, when I shall hope to find thee in the city,
 having made one or two flying visits there within a year past,
 without seeing thee.


 Thine
 Thos [Thomas] A Greene.

        